Five UNC Pembroke
computer science majors added another stepping-stone in their career
paths.

The students traveled
to New Mexico for a seminar to meet with representatives from IBM to
discuss career opportunities and internships.

They attended the
"IBM Native American Project View," a diversity recruitment
program that brings hiring managers together with Native American college
students, graduates and other professionals. They discussed internships,
co-ops and permanent employment opportunities.

UNCP's chapter of
the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) helped promote
and coordinate the student's participation.

Kennan Collins,
a senior from Rowland, Gene Deese, a senior from Pembroke, Chad Hunt,
a junior from Red Springs, Jerry Locklear, a senior from Lumberton,
and Terry Locklear, senior from Pembroke, applied to attend the "IBM
Native American Project View" in Albuquerque in January.

The program is open
to academic areas, including accounting, business administration, mathematics,
marketing, electrical and computer engineering, chemistry and finance.
IBM picked up all costs.

There were 50 participants
and 23 hiring managers at the event. Each participant set up an interview
based on individual interests.

Gene Deese said
it was a great experience for undergraduates.

"The experience
we gained from the interview sessions will benefit us as we begin our
career paths, " Deese said.

The young men also
made an impression on the IBM staff. All of them have had follow-up
contact with IBM since they returned home.

"Our prospects
look promising," said Terry Locklear.

"It's exciting
to get feedback. It let's you know how valuable the company thinks you
are," stated Jerry Locklear.

Chad Hunt thanked
UNCP's AISES program for the opportunity. The UNCP AISES chapter attended
the national AISES conference in November and brought back information
about this program. Hunt, who is also working on a minor in business,
hopes more of UNCP's Native American students apply next year.

"All the young
men agreed that they really enjoyed the experience and considered it
beneficial to them," Hunt said.

"The IBM project
is "a good opportunity for Native peoples," said Kennan Collins.
"It also puts our school's name out there."